Major labels dropping CD format by end of 2012.

[Donovan S.]

http://www.side-line.com/news_comments.php?id=46980_0_2_0_C

"The major labels plan to abandon the CD-format by the end of 2012 (or even earlier) and replace it with download/stream only releases via iTunes and related music services. The only CD-formats that will be left over will be the limited edition ones, which will of course not be available for every artist. The distribution model for these remaining CD releases would be primarily Amazon which is already the biggest CD retailer worldwide anyhow."

The industry is changing. What are your thoughts?

 

[jipchen]

The positive side is we no longer have to burn the crucial master CDs and live in constant fear of them having too many (unaudible) errors
Sending a batch of .wav files seems like less hassle to me, haha. Personally, I like CDs and absolutely hate the idea of buying my music only as mp3/whatever format.. If I pay for it, I want a physical artwork, CD, extras etc and no file on my computer which even has DRM and other stupid restrictions in the worst case.

 

[DullElysium]

I like cd's

 

[Erratic]

drop cd, bring back vinyl.

 

[Trevoire520]

The positive side is we no longer have to burn the crucial master CDs and live in constant fear of them having too many (unaudible) errors
Sending a batch of .wav files seems like less hassle to me, haha. Personally, I like CDs and absolutely hate the idea of buying my music only as mp3/whatever format.. If I pay for it, I want a physical artwork, CD, extras etc and no file on my computer which even has DRM and other stupid restrictions in the worst case.

+1 Pretty much just summed up all my thoughts about it.

 

[FIXXXER]

one more reason not to buy any music again

 

[Ermz]

It's been a while coming. CDs as a format are outdated, impractical to manufacture, distribute, store, sell etc. All these hassles are huge negatives in light of how widely music is pirated. Cutting out the middle men to a degree allows the labels to increase their margins - so it makes sense.

Personally, I don't take issue with it UNLESS the only download options are lossy formats like mp3, aac, ogg.... in that case this will be one of the biggest regressions for music in recent memory.

It also might spell the decline of the 'album' as an entity. Bands may be more inclined to release EPs in smaller doses, or lean on singles to promote themselves. Since their tracks will likely be thrown into a 'randomized' playlist, it would make little sense to create coherent journeys with their music.

It will bring its positives along with its negatives, like most movements in the industry.

 

[B36arin]

This should be a good thing for audio quality. We won't be restricted to 44.1 kHz and 16 bit anymore.

 

[Jarkko Mattheiszen]

Makes financial sense, but still, fuck that shit. It'll be a long, icy winter in hell before I give up buying physical albums.

 

[midget donkeys]

I don't even have an mp3 player anymore. The only time I listen to mp3's is if I am at a computer. I just can't see myself paying money to download music.

Then again I am probably a dinosaur since I was driving around listening to a cassette tape of lynyrd skynyrd the other day.

 

[Skinny Viking]

not sure how much of a difference it will be only because the key word here (as I see it) is "Major" labels.

Just because they're looking to phase out the cd I don't know if its gonna set a trend with the labels that put out most of the music most of us listen to. I guess when these labels pump millions into just creating and promoting the new Bieber / Gaga / whatever single they're losing out because those are probably the majority type of artist that suffers from rampant downloading. I'm not saying it doesn't effect labels like NB, CM, etc .. just saying that for the most part, again as I see it, metal fans are still the more willing of the bunch to purchase cds because of the reasons others have mentioned that I share as well ... physical product to add to "the collection" with all its awesome artwork, better quality (non mp3), the concept of a "music journey" per say ... you know where I'm going with this

 

[AD Chaos]

Sounds a bit like when they said internet would replace TV altogether.

Still, a dumb and sad move if it does happen I'd say. No more vinils? or CDs with artwork in it?
Without CDs, bands would lose identity even more IMO (the internet is a giant zest-pool of bands - mediocre/amateur/semi-pro etc, all mixed in together).

And yet I understand why if it happens.


Gotta roll with the flow, I guess.

 

[waltz mastering]

CD's make up for over half of all music sold and over a 4:1 ratio for album sales.

Whoever wrote the article doesn't have a clue.

 

[ratsapprentice]

Bear in mind that you can still buy tapes from some bands, the underground will be keeping the physical format for a while I think.

 

[Jevil]

This should be a good thing for audio quality. We won't be restricted to 44.1 kHz and 16 bit anymore.

I can't really notice the difference in higher resolutions cause my hifi (and most people's), and ears are not ready for it.

 

[Donovan S.]

As long as they allow downloading of lossless formats, I don't really care. It's nice to have CDs sometimes for the booklet and artwork, etc. but I only ever use them to play in my car stereo, and for ripping lossless formats to my library.

Anyone here use Bandcamp? I personally love it when bands allow me to buy their music on that website and then I can just download in Flac right there, and you also get the artwork and sometimes extras as well.

 

[tempe]

I'll believe it when I see it, personally I think major labels need to start bringing back vinyl as well as the whole digital download thing.

 

[B36arin]

I can't really notice the difference in higher resolutions cause my hifi (and most people's), and ears are not ready for it.

It depends on the music. You won't notice it on most modern metal productions, but the difference is audible on something with more dynamic range. This would also make it more viable to produce multichannel productions, the limitation of stereo and 44.1-16 is going to disappear, and that's would be great

 

[Donovan S.]

It depends on the music. You won't notice it on most modern metal productions, but the difference is audible on something with more dynamic range. This would also make it more viable to produce multichannel productions, the limitation of stereo and 44.1-16 is going to disappear, and that's would be great

That would be awesome. As internet connections get faster we'll see an increase in the quality of audio in general, as people can download the larger lossless formats in the same time it takes them to download MP3s currently. Shedding the 16 Bit, 44.1 khz limitation imposed by CDs will be great as well.

 

[Sloan]

I once suggested a new format that is basically vinyl with the center being readable like a cd that would store digital data, so you would have a vinyl album that you could also rip. Until that happens I think the best solution would be vinyl sold with digital download.

Vinyl has the size issue, but I love picking up a vinyl from an artist I know nothing about and being able to read about them on the back, and the large artwork just rules.